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Opinion PUBLISHED: 14:29 20 January 2019 Stuart Watson Jack Rodwell slides into a challenge on Will Keane at Blackburn Picture Pagepix Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738 Ipswich Town remain seven points adrift of safety at the foot of the Championship table following yesterday’s 2-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers. Chief football writer STUART WATSON has his final say of the weekend. Callum Elder protests his innocence as the referee points to the penalty spot during the second half at Blackburn Picture PagepixPause, close your eyes and make peace with the thought Ipswich Town are dropping into League One. Let this stressful fixation on ‘the great escape’ float off over the horizon.Trust me, you’ll feel better for it. Approach these next few weeks and months not as the end days of a disastrous campaign, rather a valuable head-start on preparing for life in the third-tier.Call me defeatist if you like. I call it realism.Callum Elder shows … [Read more...] about Stuart Watson’s Sunday Verdict: Make peace with relegation and enjoy the extended ‘pre-season’ ahead

Opinion PUBLISHED: 06:00 20 January 2019 Andy Warren Alan Judge applauds the travelling fans at Blackburn Picture Pagepix Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738 Andy Warren takes a snappy look back at Ipswich Town’s 2-0 loss at Blackburn Rovers. Will Keane beats the keeper but then denied after being forced wide at Ewood Park during the first half iPicture PagepixStar manWill Keane may not have produced the match-winning moment he managed on his first Ipswich start a week ago, but this was another promising display from the Hull loanee.The Ipswich attack needs to offer a significantly increased threat if they are to dig themselves out of trouble, but Keane’s early displays have suggested he can be a part of trying to make that happen.Keane’s touch is good, he can hold it up, bring others into play and be effective both in the No.10 role and up front alone. He had the Blues’ best chance in this game, rounding goalkeeper David Raya after … [Read more...] about Sunday Snap: A few ups, a few more downs, big questions and sympathy for Ipswich fans up in the gods

Video PUBLISHED: 18:18 19 January 2019 | UPDATED: 19:20 19 January 2019 Stuart Watson Ipswich Manager Paul Lambert is greeted by Tony Mowbray at Ewood Park. Picture Pagepix Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738 Ipswich Town manager Paul Lambert felt striker Will Keane was too honest in this afternoon’s -0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers. Will Keane is left scratching his head at Ewood Park Picture PagepixKeane stayed on his feet when rounding keeper David Raya in the first half and a golden chance eventually fizzled out.Danny Graham subsequently converted a 64th minute penalty, with substitute Joe Nuttall netting the killer second from close-range in the 75th minute.This was the 13th successive away league game that Town have conceded at least two goals. Defeat leaves them still seven points adrift of safety at the foot of the Championship table heading into next weekend’s game at Aston Villa.“I thought they started better than us, then we started … [Read more...] about Keane too honest and Elder will learn – Lambert reflects on Ipswich Town’s 2-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers

Live PUBLISHED: 12:00 19 January 2019 | UPDATED: 14:02 19 January 2019 Andy Warren Tony Mowbray's Blackburn face Paul Lambert's Ipswich Town this afternoon Archant Ipswich Town travel to Ewood Park this afternoon to take on Blackburn Rovers (3pm). Lambert spent six months in charge of Blackburn during the 2015/16 season, guiding them to a 15th place finish before activating a release clause in his contract.“It was really short but I really enjoyed my time there,” he said. “It’s a good club that maybe had lost its way a little bit in certain things and I’m looking forward to going back. I watched their game on Tuesday (4-2 home defeat to Newcastle, after extra-time, in an FA Cup third round replay) and they did well.“It’s a tough game but hopefully it is for them as well. We have to go and do what we’ve been doing and try and win.”The Blues go into this game looking to back up their 1-0 victory … [Read more...] about Matchday Live: Judge makes first Ipswich start as Lambert makes one change

PUBLISHED: 09:09 19 January 2019 | UPDATED: 09:49 19 January 2019 Stuart Watson Ipswich Town manager Paul Lambert signs his open letter to the club's supporters, thanking them for sticking with his team. Archant Ipswich Town supporters on the coach to Blackburn Rovers today have received a surprise letter from manager Paul Lambert informing them he will personally reimburse their travel costs. Paul Lambert has paid for Ipswich Town fans' travel costs to Blackburn Rovers. Photo: Steve WallerWhen 50 fans boarded the official coach at Portman Road at 6.45am this morning ahead of the 500-mile round trip to Ewood Park they found a personalised letter from Lambert placed on each of their seats.The Blues boss said as a ‘personal thank you’ for their ‘fantastic support’ he had arranged with the club for them to be reimbursed their travel costs.At £37 each, that equates to £1,850.One of those receiving the letter this morning was … [Read more...] about Lambert surprises Town fans by paying for their travel to Blackburn